UPDATE: Laserdisc Players Review (long)
Phil Kim
This ASCII file is not designed for printing. The page number designations
maybe inaccurate and the elborate text formattings will be lost (pretend this
is pan & scan version of the article).
If you would like to print this document and have an access to either
PostScript printer or Ami Pro 3.0 word processor, request ld-play.eps
(PostScript) or ld-play.sam (Ami Pro) over e-mail (ki...@rpi.edu).
Note: The Pioneer CLD-S201 has recently been replaced by CLD-S203, which will
be reviewed shortly. The Pioneer CLD-M301 has been discontinued.
== cut here (including this line) =============================================
Internet Laserdisc Review by Phil Kim
Combination Laserdisc Players (1994 Edition)
Last updated on June 15th, 1994
Laserdisc players are reviewed with the use of following equipment:
- Surround processor: Lexicon CP-3
- Poweramplifiers: Adcom GFA-555II, GFA-2535
- Preamplifier: Sony TA-E1000ESD
- Speakers: Definitive Technology BP8, C1, and BP2, Klipsch SW-10
- Monitor: Sony KV-27V55
All equipment are calibrated using _WOW!_ laserdisc.
Laserdiscs used:
- Apocalypse Now (Paramount; Widescreen Edition)
- The Empire Strikes Back (CBS/Fox; The Definitive Collection)
- The Right Stuff (Warner Bros.; Wide Screen Edition)
- WOW! (Lucasfilm)
Ratings range from poor, fair, good, very good, to excellent. Audio
performance is measured in comparison to Merdian 206 CD Player. Video
performance is measured in comparison to Panasonic LX-900.
I thank my friends who let me borrow their laserdisc players and to 30-day
money back guarantee policy. For inquiry, contact me through Internet at
ki...@rpi.edu.
Table of Content_______________________________________________________________
Laserdisc basics Page 2
Low-end laserdisc players ($300 to 600) Page 4
Middle-of-the-pack laserdisc players ($450 to 800) Page 6
High-end laserdisc players ($780 to 1,200) Page 8
Multi-CD laserdisc players ($350 to 760) Page 10
This article is not copyrighted but author asks no part of it to be used or
reproduced in any manner whatsoever except in the case of reprints in the
context of reviews. The author is not affiliated with any companies mentioned
here.
Laserdisc basics_______________________________________________________________
So, you want to get a new laserdisc player because
- Laserdiscs deliver 60% sharper image than VHS tapes.
- Laserdiscs offer CD-quality audio.
- Laserdiscs are more durable than video tapes.
- A large number of laserdiscs are available with extensive supplement and
improved transfer.
- A large number of films on laserdisc are available in its proper aspect
ratio.
Before rushing out to buy a new laserdisc player, you should become familiar
with the laserdisc format (for more detailed article on laserdisc, I recommend
Bob Niland's articles on laserdiscs, available via FTP at ftp.csn.org).
There are two types of laserdisc:
- CAV (Constant Angular Velocity, or Standard Play) laserdiscs are similar to
computer disks. A CAV laserdisc can have little more than 30 minutes (12"
NTSC laserdisc) or 54,000 frames per side. This format allows high quality
freeze frame and multiple-speed playback on any laserdisc player.
- CLV (Constant Linear Velocity, or Extended Play) laserdiscs are similar to
CDs. A CLV laserdisc can have little more than 60 minutes per side. This
format does not permit freeze frames and multiple-speed playback unless the
laserdisc player is equipped with digital effects capability. As with CDs,
you may pause and scan forward or reverse. Most titles are released in a
CLV format.
Although laserdiscs can be in either 8" or 12" sizes, nearly all titles are
released in a 12" size. All recent laserdisc players can play CAV and CLV
laserdiscs in both 8" and 12" sizes. A combination laserdisc player can play
3" and 5" CDs and 5" CDV (Compact Disc with Video) as well.
Some of the popular laserdisc player features include:
- Chapter programming similar to random track programming on CD players.
- Clear scanning visual scanning on CLV laserdiscs, alternating between
a still image and a blank screen.
- Digital output digital optical audio output for audio systems capable
of digital audio compression and expansion (e.g., DAT
recorder).
- S-video output since laserdiscs are encoded in a composite format,
televisions with an inferior Y/C separator may benefit
by using this output.
- Shuttle ring one can scan picture with greater control by rotating
this self-centering ring.
- Time/frame search searches for particular time (CLV laserdiscs) or frame
(CAV laserdiscs).
More expensive laserdisc players may offer:
- Automatic side automatically changes the laserdisc side that takes 6
change to 20 seconds depending on the laserdisc player and
laserdisc.
- Digital comb filter also known as 3-line digital logical comb filter, this
circuitry is used to separate luminance and
chrominance signals that feeds S-video output.
- Digital special digital circuit for doing freeze frame and multi-speed
effects playback on CLV laserdiscs. The quality is worse than
it is possible with CAV laserdiscs.
- Digital Time Base a more advanced form of Time Base Corrector (TBC) than
Corrector mechanical TBC, that attempts to decrease jitters more
efficiently.
- Jog dial one can advance and review frames with greater control
by spinning this dial.
Those with vocal talents should investigate Karaoke laserdisc players, that
add audio digital signal processing (DSP) and microphones. Pioneer, Sony, and
Technic (audio cousin of Panasonic) are offering Karaoke add-on unit for $200
to 400.
Pioneer is responsible for the success of laserdiscs. In 1980's, Pioneer
(and thanks to letterboxing) single-handily rescued nearly extinct laserdisc
format and positioned it as the ultimate home video format. Today, Pioneer
offers laserdisc players with more features at lower prices. Pioneer is the
only company to make multi-CD laserdisc players that can hold 5 CDs. Pioneer
also makes professional laserdisc players (Elite series) with full-field
digital special effects. The Pioneer Elite CLD-97 is known as the best
laserdisc a money can buy. Pioneer will be upgrading their Elite series
laserdisc players to meet THX laserdisc specification.
Sony laserdisc players look and feel different from Pioneer. One of its
biggest assets is Sony's clear scanning technique, which is more pleasing than
that of Pioneer. As with Panasonic, Sony's clear scanning alternates moving
picture with a blank screen, rather than scrolling a still image with a blank
screen. On the other hand, their Tri-Digital Video Processing is hyped and I
do not see any improvements over their previous players without such circuit.
By concentrating on delivering higher quality picture and audio, Panasonic has
positioned themselves as the premier maker of quality laserdisc players.
Panasonic laserdisc players deliver top-notch video and audio performance at
competitive prices. Unfortunately, Panasonic laserdisc players are becoming
more difficult to find than Pioneer or Sony.
A number of companies make laserdisc players, including Denon, Kenwood,
Marantz, Onkyo, Optimus (Radio Shack), Samsung, and Yamaha. Most are modified
Pioneer designs with their own audio circuit, but many are more expensive and
dated in features.
You might want to hold your purchase for the upcoming Dolby Surround Digital,
or DSD laserdisc standard. This standard will add (by replacing one of the
analog tracks) digital Dolby 5.1 track (encoded in Dolby AC-3) containing five
discrete audio channels (with "0.1" track for the subwoofer channel),
providing superior channel separation. DSD laserdiscs can potentially deliver
over 90dB channel separation versus about 40dB for Dolby surround laserdiscs.
Of course, you will need to upgrade both your surround sound processor and
rear-channel speakers. DSD laserdisc players and Dolby AC-3 sound processors
are due mid- to late-1995.
In this article, I reviewed combination laserdisc players by Panasonic,
Pioneer, and Sony.
Low-end laserdisc players ($300 to 600)________________________________________
Panasonic LX-200 General features: 20 chapter programming, clear
($350-600) scanning, digital comb filter, digital output, digital
video: very good time base corrector, remote control, shuttle ring,
audio: good S-video output, and time/frame search.
design: good In short: The Panasonic LX-200 includes all the
features you need minus the luxury. An attractive buy
to budget-minded buyers looking for best performance.
Pioneer CLD-S201 General features: 24 chapter programming, clear
($300-535) scanning, remote control, shuttle ring on the player,
video: good and time/frame search.
audio: fair In short: If you are tight on a budget, the Pioneer
design: fair CLD-S201 should be an attractive buy. Only one
quibble: Special effects on CAV laserdiscs is less
than desirable.
Sony MDP-500 General features: automatic side change, 20 chapter
($400-600) programming, clear scanning, digital comb filter,
video: good digital output, digital time base corrector, remote
audio: good control, S-video output, and time/frame search.
design: very good In short: If you rather sacrifice features for
automatic side change, the Sony MDP-500 is the one for
you.
The VHS format maybe okay for rental, but if you like to collect films, it
just does not deliver. The low-end laserdisc players, with prices similar to
a typical hi-fi VHS VCR, are tempting buys. All three laserdisc players
reviewed offer superior performance than any hi-fi VHS VCRs, with all the
basic features. One (Sony MDP-500) even does automatic side change.
I was impressed with the Panasonic LX-200. The picture quality on the LX-200
is simply stunning. Sky shots from a noisy (video noise, that is) laserdisc
_The Right Stuff_ looked cleaner than other low-end laserdisc players and the
snow scene from The Empire Strikes Back looked more vibrant. Audio
performance is about equal to low-end CD players, with satisfying detail and
dynamics.
The LX-200 is not without flaws, however. The on-screen display is not very
informative and the ergonomics needs some improvement. The remote control is
not very well laid out, although differently sized buttons help. Chapter
stops and time/frame search times are faster than other low-end units.
Unfortunately, you cannot perform time/frame search on laserdiscs without
chapter stops and table of contents (TOC). Since nearly all recent laserdiscs
have chapter stops, this deficiency shouldn't pose any problem. The LX-200
has been discontinued and it is actually more difficult to find than its older
sibling LX-101 (which is nearly identical except for the design).
I did not enjoy using the Pioneer CLD-S201. The remote control is wimpy,
lacking the shuttle ring and many key controls. The front panel is not very
well laid out, and I often found myself hitting the label area instead of the
buttons. Unlike the LX-200 and MDP-500, clear scanning on the CLD-S201 is
unpleasant, with distorted image scrolling on the screen. Even worse, using
the remote control engages clear scanning even on CAV laserdiscs!
I did not hear any noticeable sonic improvement with direct-CD feature enabled
(which isolates the audio circuitry). Conveniently, doing so will pop out a
smaller CD tray. Whether I use direct-CD or not, the audio lacked details and
sounded edgy. The CLD-S201 features digital audio level control (but no
digital audio output) and on-screen display with peak level control.
The Sony MDP-500 replaces the older MDP-455. Its key improvement is the
automatic side change, which none of the other low-end units has.
Unfortunately, it sacrifices some features. The remote control lacks shuttle
ring and many key buttons. Not surprisingly, it is well laid out and very
easy to use. The front panel is very easy to use as well. Its excellent on-
screen display compensates for the inadequate front-panel display (which
displays only the chapter number).
Video performance, while not as clean as the LX-200, is more than enough to
impress stone-aged VHS fanatics. Automatic side change is fast (it is faster
by disabling TOC-read). Unfortunately, chapter search is particularly slow.
As with MDP-455, the MDP-500 has the cleanest clear scanning in its class.
The MDP-500 isn't necessarily the best low-end laserdisc player, with less
than spectacular performance and minimal features, but one would be hard to
pass up on the automatic side change.
If you are mainly interested in getting the best audio and video performance,
get the Panasonic LX-200 (or LX-101). If your budget is tight, the Pioneer
CLD-S201 should suffice, but I recommend shelling out a bit more to get either
Panasonic LX-200 or Sony MDP-500. The Sony MDP-500 is my personal favorite.
The automatic side change -- you gotta have this thing!
Middle-of-the-pack laserdisc players ($450 to 800)__________________________________
Panasonic LX-600 General features: automatic side change, 20 chapter
($500-800) programming, clear scanning, digital comb filter,
video: excellent digital output, digital time base corrector, remote
audio: very good control, shuttle ring, S-video output, and time/frame
design: good search.
In short: The Panasonic LX-600, a step-down cousin of
the LX-900, boosts similarly impressive performance
yet maintaining the same design flaws.
Pioneer CLD-D503 General features: automatic side change, 24 chapter
($450-760) programming, clear scanning, digital comb filter,
video: very good digital time base corrector, remote control, shuttle
audio: good ring, S-video output, and time/frame search.
design: good In short: The Pioneer CLD-D503 is very inexpensive
with super fast side change and very good performance.
Sony MDP-600 General features: automatic side change, 20 chapter
($475-800) programming, clear scanning, digital comb filter,
video: good digital output, digital time base corrector, remote
audio: good control, shuttle ring on the remote, S-video output,
design: very good and time/frame search.
In short: With its sleek design and basic Karaoke
features, the Sony MDP-600 is an attractive buy for
casual couch-potatoes.
Ask any laserdisc newcomers. They all like the laserdisc format for its
features and performance but hate to flip laserdiscs every 20 to 60 minutes.
Once the premium for automatic side change was $200, but now you can get it
for as low as $100 to 150 extra (see Sony MDP-500 on page 4).
As with its low-end cousin LX-200, the Panasonic LX-600 is an impressive
performer. Audio and video performance are the best in the group and the side
change is very fast (between 8 to 12 seconds). Audio, while not as clear nor
smooth as some of the high-end CD players, should suit just fine. Video
performance is just stunning. The image is very vivid without introducing
additional video noise. An edit button is located on the front panel that can
effectively clean up the picture while sacrificing the sharpness slightly.
The remote control is potent, with somewhat illogical layout but simple to
operate. The shuttle ring feels somewhat small, but it is fine for normal
operations. Unfortunately, the on-screen display is weak, displaying minimal
information. It does not even display the remaining time on laserdiscs with
table of contents. Strangely enough, the LX-600 can display remaining time on
CDs.
One of the key selling points for the Pioneer CLD-D503 is its very low price.
The CLD-D503, which replaced CLD-D502, adds a dedicated tray for CDs as with
few minor design changes. Overall, the CLD-D503 is easy to use, but it could
still use some changes. The remote control could use some layout changes as
well.
One of the most notable changes is an improved automatic side change
mechanism. The CLD-D503 can change sides in a record time (between 6 to 11
seconds). Audio performance is what you would expect for laserdisc players in
this price range. An omission of digital audio output is questionable. The
image is clean and vivid, about as good as some high-end laserdisc players.
As with CLD-S201, the clear scanning on CLV laserdisc is not very pleasant.
The Sony MDP-600 should attract those planning to play few Karaoke
laserdiscs. It includes a microphone jack with an echo control. The MDP-600
comes in a clean chassis with well-designed front panel layout. Although it
does not have the shuttle ring on the front panel, it is included on a rather
large remote control. The remote control, although large, holds small
buttons. Fortunately, the layout is very good. The on-screen display is
informative and friendly, using the best looking font in the group.
Video performance is not as good as the LX-600 nor CLD-D503. Although casual
viewers wouldn't mind, on a properly calibrated television set, the difference
is noticeable. Audio is very detailed but it sounded a bit too bright for my
taste. Automatic side change, which normally takes 8 to 13 seconds, is faster
with quick-start enabled, which improves it by a second or two. Clear
scanning is very clear (no pun intended).
You cannot make mistake by buying any one of the three laserdisc players, as
they all are good buys. Let your taste be your guide. If you need a digital
audio output (i.e., you own a digital recording equipment), the Pioneer
CLD-D503 is not for you. If you want to play Karaoke laserdiscs but don't
want to spend extra for Karaoke laserdisc players, the Sony MDP-600 is your
only choice. My personal favorite is the Panasonic LX-600, with the best
overall audio and video performance.
High-end laserdisc players ($680 to 1,200)_____________________________________
Panasonic LX-900 General features: automatic side change, 20 chapter
($700-1,100) programming, digital comb filter, digital output,
video: excellent digital special effects with 8-bit digital field
audio: very good memory, digital time base corrector, remote control,
design: good jog dial and shuttle ring, S-video output, and
time/frame search.
In short: My choice for the best overall laserdisc
player under $1,000 street price. The Panasonic
LX-900 is not perfect, but its strong performance
diminishes its flaws.
Pioneer CLD-D703 General features: automatic side change, 24 chapter
($680-1,200) programming, digital comb filter, digital output,
video: excellent digital special effect with 8-bit digital field
audio: very good memory, digital time base corrector, remote control,
design: good jog dial and shuttle ring, S-video output, and
time/frame search.
In short: The Pioneer CLD-D703 is one of the lowest
priced high-end laserdisc players on the market with
loaded features and impressive performance.
Sony MDP-800 General features: automatic side change, 20 chapter
($720-1,200) programming, digital comb filter, digital output,
video: good digital special effects with 8-bit digital field
audio: good memory, digital time base corrector, remote control,
design: very good jog dial and shuttle ring on the remote, S-video
output, and time/frame search.
In short: The Sony MDP-800 is slightly more expensive
than either LX-900 or CLD-D703. Digital effects are
also less potent than its competitors.
The high-end laserdisc players add up to two major features not found in lower-
end models: digital special effects and/or automatic side change. Although
casual viewers may not need fancy digital special effects, more serious film
buffs will find it a must. Be warned that most implementations do not freeze
every frame, therefore diminishing its merit, and the quality of special
effects is not exceptional (half the resolution of CAV laserdiscs).
The Panasonic LX-900 leads the pack with the best overall digital special
effects. The image looks less contaminated and it can freeze frames
instantaneously. The LX-900 is the only laserdisc player reviewed to capture
the entire 30 frames per second. With the on-screen display turned on, the
LX-900 confidently displays the frame number when jog is used, never missing a
frame. Multi-speed playback is more fluid than other laserdisc players,
although it is still jerky. Only the twice-as-expensive Pioneer Elite CLD-97
with full-field digital effects does it better. Although you cannot disable
digital special effects circuitry, the playback quality is superior to MDP-800
(the only unit in the group that can disable digital special effects). On
some CAV laserdisc, such as the first side of The Age of Innocence (Columbia),
the close-captioning does not function properly.
The picture quality on the LX-900 is superb with vibrant color and clean
image. Audio, although not as good as some of the high-end CD players, is
very good. The remote control is rather cheap looking but it is quite
usable. The on-screen display (which cannot be disabled completely) is
lacking, providing just the minimum information. Few frills include film
(darker contrast) and black & white modes, digital noise reduction, and art
effects. Although the LX-900 is quite fast (with 8 to 12 seconds automatic
side change), it is the noisiest laserdisc player in the group. The LX-900 is
currently being discontinued.
The Pioneer CLD-D703 has recently replaced the CLD-D702. It adds more
elaborate digital circuitry, with adjustable digital noise filter (by using
jog and shuttle controls). Since I don't have an access to the CLD-D702
anymore, I couldn't compare them directly, but the video performance is quite
impressive, about equal to LX-900. The LX-900 produced a bit cleaner picture,
but the difference is slight. Unfortunately, the CLD-D703 missed one or two
frames per second on digital special effects.
The front panel design has been changed from CLD-D702, and although it is now
cleaner, it is less classier. You can no longer disable the on-screen display
completely. Coaxial optical output is provided (as well as Toslink) for
quality digital output. Side change was very fast (about 6 to 11 seconds).
The Sony MDP-800 is a disappointment. You must wait almost a second for CLV
freeze frame. Even worse, the digital special effects add significant digital
artifacts and captured fewer frames per second than the CLD-D703 and LX-900.
Although you can disable digital special effects, the playback quality is
noisier than other high-end laserdisc players.
The MDP-800 resembles MDP-600, sharing mini-Karaoke features (microphone jack
with echo). Jog dial on the remote control is a bit stiff. Other interesting
features include digital memory recall which lets you capture a frame and
display it later. The MDP-800 operates very quietly with fast side change
(with defeatable TOC-read). The on-screen display is friendly and informative.
Multi-CD laserdisc players ($350 to 760)_______________________________________
Pioneer CLD-M301 General features: 24 chapter programming, clear
($350-650) scanning, remote control, and time/frame search.
video: excellent In short: The Pioneer CLD-M301 is a plain-vanilla
audio: good laserdisc player with 5-disc CD changer. You should
design: fair spend $70 to 90 more and get more competent CLD-M403.
Pioneer CLD-M403 General features: 24 chapter programming, clear
($420-760) scanning, digital comb filter, digital output, digital
video: excellent time base corrector, remote control, shuttle ring on
audio: good the player, S-video output, and time/frame search.
design: good In short: The Pioneer CLD-M403 is an outstanding CD
changing combi-player marred by few flaws.
To date, Pioneer is the only brand to market multi-CD laserdisc players.
Given laserdisc's large size, it is a perfect marriage. Two models are
available: CLD-M301 and CLD-M403. Both are good performers but neither can
flip side nor perform digital effects on CLV laserdiscs.
In short, the Pioneer CLD-M301 is similar to CLD-S201. Video performance is
stronger than the CLD-S201, with milder video noise. The on-screen display
provides rather dopey-looking picture of loaded CDs, but it is better than
nothing. Audio is not particularly inspiring and the CD change time was not
as fast as some low-end CD changer. You can leave CDs in the tray when
playing laserdisc. It comes with a puny-looking remote control.
Those who want multi-CD capability should look no further than the Pioneer
CLD-M403. Video performance is superb, about as good as any laserdisc players
reviewed here. Audio digital signal processing (DSP) attempts to provide
simulated ambiance, but it is mostly ineffective and unpleasant.
Mechanical performances are about the same as CLD-M301. The CLD-M403 adds,
most significantly, the shuttle ring on the remote control and S-video
output. As with other Pioneer laserdisc players, however, the clear scanning
on CLV laserdisc is not very pleasant. If you don't need automatic side
change and digital special effects, the CLD-M403 is the one for you.
--
Phil Kim (ki...@rpi.edu)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Finger me for information on getting laserdisc review articles.